top of page
Search

Motorsporting Milena!


MEET MILENA!


Meet Milena, an aspiring 13 year old just starting out in motorsport, who is determined to make her mark!


Milena Clark is a young girl who loves motor racing! Here she tells ROADSTER! how she found her way into the sport, about her journey so far, and her hopes for the future.


HI MILENA! TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?

Hi Roadster! My name is Milena, I love everything motorsports and I enjoy indoor and outdoor karting. There aren’t many of us girls in motorsport so being interviewed for this magazine is one for the girls!


YOU ARE JUST 13 YEARS OLD. HOW ON EARTH DID YOU DISCOVER MOTORSPORT?

I was invited to my local go kart track, Rogue Leisure in Aylesbury, for a free session with my brother and dad. I loved the speed and the adrenaline rush it gave me!


HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I came across the Girls on Track programme in January 2023, and had the opportunity to attend Williams Racing for an event! Through Girls on Track I found out about “Discover Your Drive” but I was a little bit too late to join. We then heard about Teamsport Race Academy and I joined in October 2023. I have been attending regularly since! I started in their Advanced sessions in February 2024.


WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?

I am still really early in my motorsport career, but I think my biggest achievement so far is being recognized for my skill on the track at the Rye House driver development day. I’ve been invited to attend their Debut Cup Championship later this year!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK SO FAR?

My favourite track so far is Rye House because it’s where so many F1 drivers started! I love seeing the picture of Lewis Hamilton on the wall…and his helmet!


WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION AND WHY?

My biggest inspiration is Lewis Hamilton not just because he’s the world’s best F1 driver, but he founded Mission 44 to help improve diversity in motorsports and offer more opportunities to people from lots of different backgrounds.


DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE F1 TEAM?

At the moment Mercedes all the way but when Hamilton goes to Ferrari, I’m moving with him. I’m loyal!


IMAGINE YOU ARE GOING ON A ROADSTER ROADTRIP… WHICH DRIVERS WOULD YOU TAKE?

Lewis Hamilton he’s my inspiration. Second Daniel Ricciardo because he’s funny! I’d also take along Jamie Chadwick, a world champ in the W series. She’s short like me, I wouldn’t be the only female plus, she’s really nice - I met her!


WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT?

Outside of motorsports, I’m a red belt in Taekwon-do and compete in open competitions. I’ve even broken my toe during a fight but still managed to get a bronze medal!


YOU HAVE A HEALTH CONDITION DON’T YOU? WOULD YOU TELL US ABOUT IT?

I have life threatening condition called “Adrenal Insufficiency”. The adrenal gland is like an EV car charging station - it makes a hormone called “cortisol” that helps power your batteries! It makes you feel strong, energetic, and deal with things that stress you out. My body isn’t producing enough cortisol, so it’s like my battery is always running out of charge!


I have to take a synthetic cortisol called hydrocortisone, four times a day to keep me alive and I carry around an emergency injection kit. Sometimes I have to take double medication and when it is REALLY bad I have to have my injection straight into my thigh bone and an ambulance needs to be called.


THAT SOUNDS REALLY TOUGH. IT MUST BE CHALLENGING TO TRY AND MANAGE YOUR CONDITION AND BE A RACER?

Basically I ignore it! (I’m joking!). My mum does all the worrying for me. She makes sure I have my medication which I double if I’m feel stressed about a race. My mum makes sure I have my emergency injection kit and tells the race staff about my condition in case I need medical assistance during a race.


So far, there hasn’t been anything serious but I would never let a possibility stop me from racing!


YOUR HEALTH CONDITION HAS MADE YOU CHAMPION DISABILITY IN MOTORSPORT?

Because my medical condition is rare, I try to share lots of information about it on my social media to make people aware of what it is. Even though you face challenges in your life you should try your best to take risks for the things you love!


YOU ARE STILL AT SCHOOL! HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR MOTORSPORT AND YOUR SCHOOLWORK?

At the moment, my karting doesn’t really impact on school. As my motorsport career progresses I will have to think about how I manage them both (my school is very strict!).


HOW DO YOU FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO GET RACING?

I go to my local indoor track every Sunday. I get involved in members events such as Race League and 342. My brother also does karting so we try to get on outdoor tracks as much as we can. It’s always fun racing against my brother!



HOW IS IT TRYING TO GET INTO MOTORSPORT?

It’s tough because racing is a really expensive sport! My dad also works evenings and weekends, so my mum usually has to take me, but she has to split herself between me and my siblings so there’s opportunities that have to be missed!


WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR YOUR CAREER?

My hopes are to get into F1 Academy! There are so many more opportunities for girls now, and lots of talent!


WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

In 5 years time I will be 18, by this time I would hope have experienced a range of national championships!


WHAT ABOUT TEN YEARS?

In 10 years, I would hoped to have made my debut in F1 Academy! I would hope that more women would be in mainstream motorsports by then!


IS ENOUGH IS BEING DONE TO SUPPORT CHILDREN LIKE YOURSELF WHO WANT TO GET INTO THE SPORT?

There are lots of opportunities, but it’s not always clear or straightforward to understand how you get involved. A clear path of what you can do next would be really helpful.


WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT CHILDREN SUCH AS YOURSELF?

I think there should be more opportunities for funding such as scholarships and scouting to give talented children a chance to show what they are capable of.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER CHILDREN WHO WANT TO GET STARTED IN MOTORSPORT?

Believe in yourself and don’t let anyone get in your way!


WHAT’S NEXT FOR MILENA CLARK?

My mums started a spreadsheet of options I can get involved in next year. I would love to be an owner driver by 2026!


THANKS MILENA! GOOD LUCK!


You can find out more about Milena by visiting her socials: https://www.instagram.com/milenaclarkmotorsports/




TRY IT YOURSELF!


FIRST TIME FAMILY FUN?

Milena mentioned “Rogue Leisure” in Aylesbury:


GIRL ON TRACK?

A FIA and Motorsport UK venture to inspire girls and women into seeing and believing that there is a place for them in motorsport: https://www.motorsportuk.org/


DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE…

A national programme to find and nurture the next generation of young female karters, aged 8-12 years: https://www.team-sport.co.uk/dyd


TEAMSPORT RACE ACADEMY

For children 8-15 years who want to progress their karting:

Comments

bottom of page